Eczema of the lower legs is most often caused by complications of venous insufficiency, which occur in people with impaired venous circulation in the lower extremities. Hence its second name - varicose eczema. What are the symptoms of leg eczema and how is it treated?

Crimped leg eczemausually occurs in adults in their 50s. It is more common in women. The disease may also be accompanied by varicose leg ulcers.

Lower leg eczema - causes

Eczema of the legs is believed to be the most serious complication of chronic venous insufficiency.

Chronic venous insufficiency is now considered a disease of civilization because, as research shows, the problem affects every second adult Pole, and as many as 80% of patients have never started treatment.

Under the sloganchronic venous insufficiency (CVI)or otherwiseChronic Venous Disease (CVD)you should understand all disorders of the proper functioning of the veins (with except for thrombosis, embolism and vein injuries). The essence of the disease is disorders of venous return causing blood stasis and venous hypertension in the main veins and microcirculation.

The concept of CVI covers all diseases related to the venous system of the lower extremities, from minor skin lesions, through insufficiency of the superficial system to advanced forms of deep vein insufficiency.

Diseases of veins occupy 3rd place in the world in terms of the scale of occurrence and costs generated by their treatment. A recent study (over 40,000 people) shows that 47% of women and 37% of men have symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. 48% complained of varicose veins, 27% had telangiectasias, i.e. permanently dilated small intradermal, subcutaneous venous plexuses and capillaries. Edema was observed in 11% of patients and skin lesions in 10%.

All these changes contribute to the formation of leg eczema because they contribute to circulatory problems in the legs.

Eczema of the lower limbs may be primary, i.e. it may occur in connection with the stagnation of blood due to venous insufficiency, hypoxia or the release of inflammatory-provoking factors through a non-immunological pathway.

Microtrauma, injuries and bacterial infections may also be factors contributing to leg eczema. Around inflammatory changes canthe appearance of ulcers as a result of the use of ointments to alleviate the symptoms of eczema. This is usually the effect of the so-called secondary allergy.

Lower leg eczema - symptoms

As the name suggests, eczema appears on the lower legs and usually affects the inside of the leg, where the skin is softer than on the outside.

The lesions may appear on one or both legs. The diseased skin is clearly separated from the he althy skin.

If leg eczema persists for a long time, generalized blood-borne allergic reactions may occur as a result of contact allergens entering the circulation.

Generalized spreading of such lesions has the character of a fine-lumped rash, sometimes confluent and acutely inflammatory. They can spread to the face, torso, and upper limbs.

Skin lesions are quite often accompanied by troublesome itching, and in the event of an exacerbation of the disease, also burning and pain.

Some patients develop oozing lesions, which are very often subject to bacterial superinfection and lichen. Then the characteristic yellow scabs are visible on the skin. They are damp at first, but dry up over time.

Lower leg eczema - diagnosis

Before starting the treatment of leg eczema, the doctor must perform the so-called differential diagnosis, i.e. to exclude chronic mycosis of the skin and exudative psoriasis. This is very important because all these conditions have similar symptoms.

In order to be sure that the patient suffers from leg eczema, a mycological examination is performed, which shows the presence of a fungus in skin lesions. If the tests are negative and no fungi are found, appropriate treatment is instituted.

Lower leg eczema - treatment

In people with leg eczema, medications that improve blood circulation in the lower limbs and antiallergic drugs are used. This is a treatment called general treatment.

Local treatment depends on the advancement and intensity of changes. In the period of exacerbation of the disease, compresses made of preparations containing tannin are used. The therapy is designed to contain exudate.

Once the exudate is under control, sprays, ointments and creams containing steroids are recommended. In the subacute period of leg eczema, antihistamines are recommended to be adjusted.

In the case of chronic leg eczema, ointments and pastes (e.g. zinc paste) are used to protect the skin against the irritating effect of the exudate from the ulcer and skin maceration.

Sometimes weak corticosteroids are also implemented.

Wraps made of boric acid or soda also workcleansed.

About the authorAnna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.

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Cardiology